Ink wash painting, also known as literati painting is an East Asian type of brushpainting that uses black ink—the same as used in East Asian calligraphy, in various concentrations. Ink wash painting was developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618- 907).

Ink wash painting has a different name in each country that it is practiced. Names include: Chinese shui-mo hua (水墨畫), in Japanesesumi-e (墨絵) or suibokuga (水墨画?), in Koreansumukhwa (수묵화), and in Vietnamesetranh thuỷ mặc (幀水墨).

Ink wash painting is usually done on xuan paper (Chinese) or washi (Japanese paper) both of which are highly absorbent and unsized. Each brush stroke is visible, so any "wash" in the sense of Western style painting requires partially sized paper. the idea of an "ink wash" refers to a wet-on-wet technique, applying black ink to paper where a lighter ink has already been applied, or by quickly manipulating watery diluted ink once it has been applied to the paper by using a very large brush.

Lancashire Art Gallery

Here you will find photos and information about our latest projects in the art room and out and about in the halls of Lancashire Elementary. In addition, I will post fun extra credit art projects that can be done at home and on long vacations.